Tips for Making the Most of School Fundraising

Oct 09, 2017

Bake sales, car washes, and charity auctions – schools across the country rely on fundraising ideas like these to pay for a variety of needs, including special purchases and projects. Whether you are hoping to bring in a few hundred dollars or many thousands, the Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA) offers the following smart steps you can take to make your efforts more effective.

Know Your Goals

To be more productive, have detailed goals that can be measured – both in terms of dollars raised and what will be accomplished. For example, before you set out to enhance the school’s technology, first figure out exactly what that means to you. Do you want to replace a few pieces of aging equipment, completely renovate the computer lab, or give each child a tablet? Be specific about what you seek to accomplish, and then do some homework to find out how much the project will cost. Knowing the size of your budget will help you decide what kind of fundraising effort will best meet your needs.

Try Something New

Many schools sell gift wrap, candy, or a variety of other items to generate funds. Remember, if the items to be sold come from a vendor, the school only gets part of the money generated. The rest goes to pay for the company’s products. Similarly, with raffles or auctions, some donations may sell for less than their actual value. With this in mind, consider whether it would make more sense to have a “No Frills” or “No Purchase Necessary” fundraiser, in which parents or other community members simply write a check knowing that 100 percent of their contribution will go to the school. Either approach – or a combination of both – may work well, but it’s good to consider a variety of possibilities as part of your planning.

Amplify on Social Media

Does your school have a Facebook page? Twitter? If so, leverage your school’s social media accounts so that you can reach the extended community when advertising a fundraiser. Raffle fundraising, for example, is a traditional, easy method that can yield great results when students and their parents participate. But if you extend your raffle fundraising opportunity to the surrounding community via social media advertising, your funds could multiply.

Tap into Expertise

If you do choose a fundraiser that involves selling a product, don’t miss out on the chance to get advice from a company representative who has likely worked with many other schools. Invite him or her to share ideas on how organizations like yours have succeeded in selling their products in the past. Discuss your goals and the makeup of your school community, and ask for tips on how to make the most of your efforts.

Make It an Experience

If you’re gathering items of value for a charity auction, don’t overlook the value of an experience. For example, consider auctioning off the chance to have lunch with a teacher or the principal, to be the principal for the day, or to work alongside the librarian for an afternoon. Parents and other members of the school community may also be willing to contribute an experience that will go to the highest bidder. You may find these homegrown prizes attract a lot of bidders.

Get Your Grants in Order

If your school has received a grant for a special project, congratulations! The money will help you reach important goals, but you should also be aware of the need to comply with any grant requirements or, possibly, to provide related financial records or statements. Before you apply, be sure you understand what will be required of you, and confirm that your organization has the expertise to comply properly. Your local CPA can offer advice if you have questions about managing grants.

Protect Your Charity from Theft

Nonprofits can be particularly vulnerable when it comes to fraud and theft. In smaller not-for-profits, there just may not be enough hands to manage day-to-day functions. This PICPA blog provides tips on how you can prevent theft at your nonprofit, including who should sign the checks, who should view bank statements, and who should have access to credit cards and cash.

Your CPA Can Help

CPAs regularly offer valuable advice to help not-for-profits and other local community organizations address financial concerns. Turn to your local CPA for answers to any financial questions you may have. To find a CPA in your area or for more financial tips, visit www.picpa.org/moneyandlife.

About PICPA

The Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA) is a premiere statewide association of more than 22,000 members working in public accounting, industry, government, and education. Founded in 1897, the PICPA is the second-oldest and fourth-largest state CPA organization in the United States.

Money & Life Tips are a joint effort of the AICPA and the Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA), as part of the profession’s nationwide 360 Degrees of Financial Literacy program.